Casket



Apr. 10, 1923.' F. H. cHARLEsWoRTH `GASKET Filed Mar.l

Patented Apr. 10, 1923.

; ipso sr FRED H l-cHAnLEswoRTH, or sfr. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

GASKET.

Applicaticnled March 16, 1922. Serial No. 544,294.

To all @como may' @0f/wem; y

Beit known that I, Fimo H. CHARLES- woRTH; a'oitizen ofthe United' States, residing atStl Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State' ofMinnesota, have invented new and useful Improvements fin Gaskets, 'of

which the following is a specification,

`M5'-lventon relates t9 burial CPLSkGtS and particularlyto the type Vof casket having in-` Werdlyl inelined 'closure members hinged t0 the `s idesot the same which actinconjuno tion with the top ofthe Coffin `to effect the complete' closure-therefor and has for its object to provide a device `Jforsimultaneously` opening and closing all of said inclined closure; members. l Y

Another Object of thejinvention is to rigidly Yattach the .coyer of `the casket tojthe` rearf closure member. so that the same may be movednunsea f Y i A still further object is toconstruct and arrange the .parts of kmy invention so that when the rear member is positioned with the ooverwin substantially vertical position that the two remaining members will lie sub- Stantallv'horzontal. i

In carrying out my objects lppreferably hinge the -said closure members to the side of the casket-mitering the same at the ycorners thereof. To each .of the side members is connectedl a link which is pivoted to a swinging.- arnr pivoted to the body of the casket,

and to the end member is pivoted a hinged' lin-k which is likewise pivoted to said arm,

which parts are so constructed that when one of said menubersl is swungy upon its hinge theothers are causedcto simultaneous.

required.

The full objects and .advantages of my lyswing with it and to open or closey as Y invention will appear in connection with the detailed descriptionwthereof and are particularily pointed out in the claims.

In'the drawings-illustrating the applicationof my. invention `in one form Fig. 1 is a plan view of a shell of a casket showing my invention applied Athereto with the hingemembersfand top in Iopen position.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken online 2-2ot Figure `1.

Figv 3 is fa sectionalv viewtaken 'on line known fact that theease and grace? with which the director can manipulate the various membersoiI the casket to effect closure giving him thefree use of the other hand to rearrange and tuck in the upholsteri'es and to grace-fully and quickly effectthe closure of' the same. l V

" Although my invention canbe applied to'` caskets of any description .such as the state,

elliptical, Octagon or other forms, I Vhaye simply shownit in vthis application as applied-.t0 a Casket `Shell 0f the' Octagon time which is indicated in its entirety at A.

This shell may be of ordinary" construction consisting of a bottommltl,` two side members 11 and 1 2, and ends 133, which ends and side members arefconnected di'- a'gonally positioned sides 14 best shown in Figures l and 2. Tothe.upperjedgesofthe thesides` and ends 11, 12, 4and '1 3 iarehingedly` mounted members 164, 17,y 18, 19 and 2O and 21"-whicii are perimetrically arranged along the' entire casket land slope inwardly towards one anothe'lS best show/ninFig ure 4. These members which are often referred to in the trade as"OGrs have .angu-` lar portions 22 rigidly secured to the ends of the same which extendhalnffway along the redges of the side members 14 so that when the structure `is closed ka continuous structure is formed along theeiiiiirecasket which slopes inwardly andis elevated Vabove the upper edge of the sidesof the same. y'

It will be noted that the members 16 and 18 lie continuous with the members 19 and '21 and `that the points; of connection of the same tall opposite each other.' 1n placing the body within the casket all of the said members are swung back. Whenthe body is in position members 19, 2 0 andQ-lare closed as shown in Figure 1 with-the members 16, 1,7, and 18 opensc as to display the jbust of thehody as positioned within the casket.

The top of the casketconsistsoi twosections andvQ-L of' which `tliepsecvtion 24 may be `i'astened to the members 19, 20, jand2l latching device-s such as are now in coillnglo-Ii use in the art and which are not shown .in` the gli .l

23.V This device comprises a plate 25 which is screwed to the side 13 of the coffin and Whichvhas a trunnion 26 issuing outwardly therefrom. Rotatabl mounted upon said trunnion is a lever 2 having two arms 28 and 29 connected together and pivoted to said trunnion at their point of juncture. A nut 30 screwable upon the end of the said trunnion 26 serves to hold this lever proppositioned for oscillation.

erl t the extreme end of arm v27 is pivotally A mounted a connecting link 31 which is formed with an angular bend 32 near the said end. This link is pivoted at its other end to a bearing 33 which is secured to the angular portion 22 formed on member 16. Ina .similar manner another link 34 having an angular portion 35 is pivoted to y a bent u the extreme end of arm 29 at one end and to a bearing 36 secured to angular portion 22 `of member `18. Arm 29 is Jformed with portion at 38 at which location is pivotal y connected thereto a link 39 which extends upwardly to a height about level with thetop of member 17 when the same isinits open position. The extreme end of this link is hingedly connected at 39 to another link 40 which in turn is pivoted to a bearing 41 secured to member 17.

y The parts of the invention are so proportional and designed that when the cover section 23 isin vertical or upright position and themembers 17 and 18 positioned in substantially horizontal location that the various parts take their relative positions as indicated in Figure 3. It will here be noted that the points of .pivot of bearings 36 and of link 34 to the arm 29 v'and the trunnion 26 are practically in alignment so that further movement of the member 18'is prevented. The same is not true of cover section 23 and member 16. In the latter case the said bearings are suiiiciently out of alignment so that the device exerts suiicient pressure upon lever 27 to hold the parts free from movement, and so that theJ device may be operated by movement of said cover. When link 37 hits' against the end member 13 of the casket movement of member 17 is also retarded so that when the link mechanism is positioned as shown in Figure 3 all of the parts are firmly held in proper position without danger of disengagement or passage'bavond the position other than that require.

In closing the device it is merely necessary to grasp the cover section 23 and to swing the same downwardly. This has the effect of oscillating lever27 which in turn oscillates the links 34 and 37 thereby swinging the members 17 and 18 upwardly and towards one another. As the links began to swingthe same rest upon the upper ends of the sides of thecasket which serves as a fulcrum for the pivotal movement of the same. This has the effect of swinging the members 17 16, and 18 upwardly until the same are somewhat raisedabove their horizontal position. After this the said links pull directly 0n the said members tending to urther close them. .In this manner by manipulating the cover section 23 all of the members 16, 17, and 18 are simultaneously moved by the operatingmechanism of my invention. When the parts are completely closed the same takethe relative positions as shown in Figure 4.k On reversal of the operation Vthe cover section 23 may be similarly opened from its position shown in Figure 4 and members 17 and 18 simultaneously opened therewith until the parts take the position shown in Fi' re 3 where the alineation of the points o pivot of link 34 and lever 29 cause the movement of the same to terminate. Y

In lcompleted colins or caskets the entire shell including the members 16, 17, and 18 is completely upholstered with materials and by methods now in common use in the art. This construction is shown 'in the drawings in dotted lines at 55 and with the same all of the linksand'levers used'in connection with the device are completely covered so that when the cofiin is in actual use none oLt' the operating `parts necessary to the manipulation of the device as required can beseen.

As the director of the funeral terminates the services and closes the casket the same may be done by him 'with one hand by 'grasping the cover section 23 and slowly and' carefully swinging the same downwardlyf This leaves him with his other hand free to fold over and tuck in ther upholstery as the various members 16, 17 and 18 come together so that said members may properly close and so that none of the white upholstery or interior of the casket may be visible to the exterior after the same has been completely closed.

The advantages of my invention are manifest. A very inexpensive device can be provided which performs the desired results and which-will not easily getzout' of order. The entire structure can be concealed beneath the upholstery so that non operating parts would be visible. VIn addition the movement of the vparts is such that squeaking or noise is entirely eliminated.

In accordance with the patent statutes I deer 'the amples of .operaia Qf retenida. theatre with: the, appa fr, which lnovv consider to represent the been embodiment thereof, benl desire to have it undarei- 5"ed` that the construction ,shown isnoaiy iin-straatje .and` martha. intentie-n ciaabrriqfed 'om-by ether meeneem fippilea tenses eurer than these above 'Set rpjrtiiiwahin the seep@ of the, renewing claiiiis'.. H

fA'closi're for a ,casket incliidiiiga "luralityfofcover members, means ada-pte ,to jgje ai'edtieth the upholstery oi'f the oaskh'sai iiiaiis comprising a member yivotailly connected to the Wallo the casket andaserie's of to said membroii 'onend andthe outer ends being conncft'd ftosiid coverriiembers vvh'er'eby` said casket. is 'Closed by the movement er one or said cover members. l.

VAV caskety iii'cluding aseri'e's of cover members hing'ediy connected thereto, anr up- J covering for the inner Isiiria'ceof ad yc'oyer `'rheinbers, means con cealed be 'eathsaid upholstery and adapted to ct said 'cover members in a manner t6 hev 'd members 'siiitaieously ihm operi ,rclosed position.

Ac 4 'a series of cover i K l hingdly connected to the body of said `caskeaatlmnrg for Asai-'d1 casket and cover, p embers, ,mealns` `co lc'eal'e'd beneath said lihing'adaptedto coniiect'said cover members in a manner to cause the same to move in unison into open or closed position Without -disclosing said connecting means.

4. A casket including a series of closure members pivotally connected to the body of said casket, a lining adapted to cover the inner surface of said casket and to continue over the inner surface of said closure members, means adapted to be concealed beneath said lining for operating said closure members in unison, said operating means comprising a quadrant and arms connecting said closure members With said operating quadrant.

5. A casket including a series of closure members hingedly connected to said casket, each closure member moving in a diierent direction, means adapted to operate said closure members in unison, said means including a member pivotally connected to the Wall of the casket and a series of arms connecting said closure members With said pivoted member in a manner to permit said closure members to move in unison and in unequal distances When in open position.

6. A casket closing device comprising an operating quadrant adapted to move in a single plane` a member connected to said operating quadrant adapted to move with it in substantially the same plane and a second member connected to said operating quadrant in a manner to cause a portion thereot` tolii'iove simultaneously with and inl a plane substantially 'at right angles to the plane of movement of said quadrant.

7. A casket Aclosing device comprising an operating head adapted to move in a plane, a closing member `connected to said operating head and adaptedto move With it in the plane of movement thereof 'and a second closing memberconnected to said operating head and adapted to move simultaneously vvitli and `in substantially a plane at right angles to the plane of movement of said operating head; y

8. A casket closing device including a series of cover members, means positioned Within the casket and comprising pivotally connected members adapted to permit said cover members to be opened simultaneously and operatively associated Withthe cover members so as to hold them in different positions vvith one cover member extended into a position more remote than the other cover member from the body of said casket tvhen in openposition'. 'Y y V p 9. Alcasket comprising a* series of closure members hingedly connected toy the body of the casket in amanner to cause them to be positioned at an inwardly inclined angle when closed, Y a y horizontally extending cover member secured to one of said closure niembers and adapted to move Withv the saine, means for operating said closure members in unison including a quadrant pivotally connected to the Wall of said casket, and members connecting said quadrant with said inclined closure members to operate them in unison and to cause said closure members to move into different positions so that the members are unequally moved about their hinging point on said casket.

10. A casket including a series of closure members hingedly connected thereto to position the same at an inwardly inclined angle from the body of the casket in closed position, a cover member Xed to one of said closure members and means pivotally connected Within said casket adapted to move some of said closure members to extend at an obtuse angle from their closed position While the member carrying said cover is adapted t0 move simultaneously into position at approximately right angles from its closed position with the cover member extending in substantially a vertical plane when the closure members are in open position.

11. A casket closing device including means pivotally connected within said casket, a series of arms pivotally connected to said means, said arms being adapted to move the cover portions of the casket in different directions simultaneously to open said casket and to vary the rate of movement of said cover members in relation to each other.

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l2. A casket closing device adapted to control the movement of three closure members including a series of operating levers adapted to move the three closure members simultaneously in a manner to vary the eX- tent of movement of the closure members whenv in open position.

13. A casket comprising a plurality of closure'members adapted to form a top cover therefor and means adapted to connect said closure members in a manner to move said closure members into different positions in relation to each other when open and to bring them in unison to the same relative position with each other when the cover is closed. Y

14. A casket comprising a cover formed with a plurality of cover members adapted to be positioned at an inwardly inclined angle when closed, a cover member secured to one of said members extending across and forming the top cover portion of said casket, a quadrant positioned within said casket, a series 4of arms connecting said quadrant with said cover members whereby all of said cover members are moved in unison into open position with some of said cover members extending beyond the point of opening in relation to the other of said members, all of said members being adapted to close into the same relative position by the operation of said quadrant and connecting members.

15. A casket closure including a plurality of closure members, a series of lever members connected to said closure members and an operating member adapted to move said levers to advance one closure member ahead ofthe other7 to arranged said closure members at different positions when open and in a symmetrical position when closed.

16. In combination with a casket having a body, closure members hinged to the walls thereof and adapted to move towards one another to effect theclosure of the same,an arm pivoted to said body and links pivoted to said closure members and to said arm for causing all of said closure members.A to simultaneously move upon oscillation of said arm, one of said links including a hinged joint. ,v

17. In combination with a casket having a body formed with sides, inclined closure members hingedly connected to the sides of said body and adapted to move towards one another, a cover firmly secured to one of said closure membersA whereby the same moves in unison therewith, and means for interconnecting said inclined members so that all of the same move simultaneously upon movement of said cover member.v

18. A casket having a cover comprising a series of members, means connecting said members in a manner to cause them to move into open or closed position simultaneously,

and concealing means for covering said connecting meansfor the members of said' cover.

In witness whereof I aiiix my signature.

FRED H. CHARLESWO'RTH. 

